Complete Breakdown of NABARD Grade A Syllabus & Exam Pattern for Phase 1 & Phase 2 Exam

Complete Breakdown of NABARD Grade A Syllabus & Exam Pattern for Phase 1 & Phase 2 Exam

Being one of the well-known banks in India, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) attracts thousands of candidates every year who dream of joining the banking sector.  Understanding the exam pattern and syllabus is essential to prioritize topics effectively.

Now, let’s discuss the NABARD Grade A exam pattern and syllabus in detail for Phase 1 and Phase 2 exam.

NABARD Grade A Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026: Overview

Category

Details

Exam Name

NABARD Grade A 

Posts

Assistant Manager (Generalist & Specialist)

Selection Process

Prelims → Mains → Interview

 

NABARD Grade A 2026 – Prelims Exam Pattern Highlights 

Category

Details

Total Questions

200

Total Marks

200

Duration

120 Minutes

Negative Marking

0.25 mark for each wrong answer

Sections in Prelims

Reasoning, English, Computer Knowledge, Quantitative Aptitude, Decision Making, General Awareness, Economic & Social Issues (ESI), Agriculture & Rural Development (ARD)

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NABARD Grade A Phase 1 Exam Pattern 2026 – Complete Breakdown 

Section Name

Number of Questions

Total Marks

Version

Time Duration

Reasoning

20

20

Bilingual – Hindi and English except for the English language Section

120 Minutes for all tests together

English

30

30

Computer Knowledge

20

20

Quant

20

20

Decision Making

10

10

General Awareness

20

20

Eco. & Soc. Issues (emphasis on Rural India)

40

40

Agriculture & Rural Development (emphasis on Rural India)

40

40

Total

200

200

   

Note: Only marks of General Awareness, ESI & ARD are considered for merit. NABARD candidates are selected for the phase 2 mains exam on the basis of the marks obtained in the merit section only.

NABARD Grade A 2026 – Mains & Interview Structure 

Stage

Paper / Details

Mains – Generalist (Paper I)

General English (Descriptive), 100 Marks

Mains – Generalist (Paper II)

Economic & Social Issues + Agriculture & Rural Development (Objective + Descriptive), 100 Marks

Mains – Specialist (Paper I)

General English (Descriptive)

Mains – Specialist (Paper II)

Stream-Specific Paper (Objective + Descriptive)

Interview

50–100 Marks, conducted in Hindi or English; assesses subject knowledge, awareness, and personality

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NABARD Grade A Phase 2 Exam Pattern for Generalist Posts 

Exam Pattern for NABARD Grade A mains Generalist Posts

Paper

Grade A

Type of Paper

Total number of Questions

Tatal Marks

Time Limits

Paper I

General English

Online Descriptive

3

100

90 minutes

Paper II

Economic & Social issues and Agriculture & Rural Development

Objective

30

50

30 minutes

 

Descriptive Type

Total 6 questions out of which student have to attempt 4 questions only

50

90 minutes

Note: Descriptive Answers are to be typed using a keyboard either in English or Hindi.

NABARD Grade A Phase 2 Exam Pattern (Specialist/Rajbhasa)

Paper

Subject

Type of Paper

Total Questions

Total Marks

Duration

Paper I

General English

Online Descriptive

3

100

90 Minutes

Paper II

Stream-Specific Paper

Objective

30

50

30 Minutes

Paper II

Stream-Specific Paper

Descriptive

6 questions (attempt any 4: 2 × 15 marks + 2 × 10 marks)

50

90 Minutes

Note: Descriptive Answers are to be typed using a keyboard.

NABARD Grade A Exam Pattern for Protocol & Security

NABARD Grade A Exam Pattern for Protocol & Security

Section Name

Total No. of Questions

Total Marks

Time Limits

Reasoning Ability

50

50

120 minutes

General Awareness

50

25

English Language

50

50

Professional Knowledge

50

75

Total

200

200

2 hours

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NABARD Grade A Phase 1 (Prelims) Syllabus 

Quantitative Aptitude

Reasoning Ability

English Language

General Awareness

Computer Knowledge

Number Series

Blood Relation

Spotting Errors

Current Affairs

Networking

Quadratic Equations

Input-Output

Reading Comprehension

Banking Awareness

Input-Output Devices

Simplification & Approximation

Inequality

Cloze Test

Insurance

DBMS

Data Sufficiency

Puzzles & Seating Arrangement

Sentence Improvement

Economy

MS Office

Arithmetic Questions

Verbal Reasoning

Fill in the Blanks

Awards and Honors

History of Computers & Generations

Data Interpretation & Caselets

Syllogism

Sentence Rearrangement

Science & Technology

Shortcuts

Mathematical Inequalities

Coding-Decoding

Para Jumbles

New Appointments

Internet

Quantity Comparisons

Miscellaneous Questions

Word Swap & Column

Basic Hardware & Software

NABARD Grade A Phase 2 Syllabus 

The NABARD Grade A Mains 2026 exam is divided into two papers. 

Paper 1 is an online descriptive English test. It includes essay writing, précis writing, comprehension, and business/office correspondence. The main purpose of this paper is to check your English writing skills along with understanding ability.

Paper 2 is an online objective paper. It includes questions from Economic and Social Issues (ESI) and Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD), with strong focus on rural India and agriculture based topics.

NABARD Grade A Syllabus – Agriculture & Rural Development 

Section

Key Topics Covered

Agriculture

Definition, Meaning & branches, agronomy (scope, definition, and meaning), classification of field crops, factors affecting crop production, agro-climatic zones, cropping systems, dry-land problems, seed production & processing, meteorology & crop-weather advisory, precision farming, SCI, and organic farming

Soil & Water Conservation

Major Soil types, soil fertility, fertilizers, soil erosion, conservation techniques, watershed management

Water Resources & Irrigation

Irrigation management, sources & types of irrigation, crop-water requirement, command area development, water conservation, micro-irrigation, irrigation pumps, major/medium/minor irrigation

Farm & Agricultural Engineering

Farm machinery & power (human, animal, mechanical, renewable), water harvesting structures, farm ponds, agro-processing

Controlled & modified storage, perishable food storage, godowns, bins, grain silos.

Plantation & Horticulture

Definition, meaning & branches, production technology of various planation and horticulture crops, agronomic practices, post-harvest management, value, and supply chain management of planation and horticulture crops.

Animal Husbandry & Poultry

Farm animals  and their role in Indian economy, animal husbandry methods, livestock terminology, Utility classification of breeds of cattle, Introduction to common feeds & fodders their classification and utility, Introduction to the poultry industry in India (past, present, and future status)

Common terms about poultry production and management

The concept of mixed farming and its relevance to socioeconomic conditions of farmers in India

Complimentary and obligatory nature of livestock and poultry production with that of agricultural farming

Fisheries

Fisheries Resources, Management and exploitation – freshwater, brackish water, and marine, Aquaculture- Inland and marine

Biotechnology, Post-harvest technology, Importance of fisheries in India, Common terms of fish production

Forestry

Forest and forestry concepts, principles of silviculture, forest mensuration, forest management & economics, concepts of social forestry & agro-forestry, JFM, forest policy & legislation, ISFR 2015, Recent developments under the ministry of environment, forest and climate change.

Agricultural Extension

Role & importance, evaluation of extension program methods, role of KVKs in dissemination of Agricultural technologies.

Ecology & Climate Change

Ecology and its relevance to man, natural resources, sustainable management, and conversation, Causes of climate change, Greenhouse Gases (GHG), major GHG emitting countries, climate analysis

Distinguish between adaptation and mitigation

Climate change impact on agriculture and rural livelihoods, carbon credit, IPCC, UNFCCC, CoP, climate finance, NAPCC, SAPCC, INDC

Indian Agriculture and Allied Activities – Current Scenario

  • Recent trends,
  • Major challenges in agriculture measures to enhance,
  • Viability of agriculture factors of production in agri
  • Agri finance & marketing
  • Globalization impact on inidan agriculture and issues of food security
  • Concept and types of farm management

Rural Development

Concept of Rural economy

Structure of the Indian Rural Economy, Importance and role of the rural sector in india

Economic, social and demographic characteristics of the indian rural economy

Causes of  Rural Backwardness

Rural population in india

Occupational structure

Farmers, Artisans, Agricultural Labourers,

Handicrafts, Forest dwellers/tribes, traders and others in rural india

Trends of change in rural population and rural workforce

Problems and conditions of rural labour

Issues and challenges in Hand-looms

Panchayati Raj Institutions – Functions and Working.

MGNREGA, NRLM – Aajeevika, Rural Drinking Water Program, Swachh Bharat, Rural Housing, PURA, and other rural development programs

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NABARD Grade A (RDBS) Information Technology Syllabus 

Subject Name

Topics

Information Technology

Introduction to Software, Data Structure through ‘C’ and ‘PASCAL’, Elements of Systems Analysis and Design, Numerical and Statistical Computing, Data Communication and Networks, Computer Architecture, Object-Oriented Systems, Computer Fundamentals, File Structure and Programming in COBOL, Database Management Systems, Software Engineering, Accounting and Finance on Computers, Operating Systems, Intelligent Systems, Relational Database, Management Systems

NABARD Grade A Legal Service Syllabus 

Subject Name

Topics

Legal Service

The paper will be based on proficiency in interpreting various Laws viz., Banking, Negotiable Instruments, Company, Industrial and Cooperative Laws, Cyber laws, Commerce/Property transactions, Rural non-life insurance, direct financing, staff matters, and good experience in drafting various types of documents

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NABARD Grade A Syllabus for Economic and Social Issues

NABARD Grade A Syllabus For Economic and Social Issues

Subject

Topics

Nature of the Indian Economy

  • Structural and Institutional features
  • Economic Underdevelopment
  • Opening up the Indian Economy
  • Globalization
  • Economic Reforms in India
  • Privatization

Poverty Alleviation and Employment Generation in India

  • Rural and Urban
  • Measurement of Poverty
  • Poverty Alleviation Programmes of the Government

Population Trends

  • Population Growth and Economic Development
  • Population Policy in India

Industry

  • Industrial and Labour Policy
  • Industrial performance
  • Regional Imbalance in India’s Industrial Development
  • Public Sector Enterprises

Inflation

  • Trends in Inflation & their Impact on National Economy and Individual Income

Agriculture

  • Characteristics / Status
  • Technical and Institutional Changes in Indian Agriculture
  • Agricultural performance
  • Issues in Food Security in India
  • Non-Institutional and Institutional Agencies in rural credit

Rural banking and financial institutions in India

  • Reforms in the Banking/ Financial sector

Positive Discrimination in favour of the underprivileged

  • Social Movements
  • Indian Political Systems
  • Human Development

Social Justice

  • Problems of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes
  • Socio-economic programmes for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes

Education

  • Status & System of Education
  • Socio-Economic Problems associated with Illiteracy
  • Educational relevance and educational wastage
  • Educational Policy for India

Globalization of Economy

  • Role of International Funding Institutions
  • IMF & World Bank
  • WTO
  • Regional Economic Cooperation

Social Structure in India

  • Multiculturalism
  • Demographic trends
  • Urbanization and Migration
  • Gender Issues Joint Family System
  • Social Infrastructure
  • Education
  • Health and Environment

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NABARD Grade A Protocol & Security Syllabus

This section of NABARD Grade A tests a candidate's understanding of security frameworks, official protocols, and key procedures followed in organisational and governmental environments.

Topic Area

Details Covered

Protocol Basics

Basic protocol procedures, official visits, and event coordination

Office & Information Security

Security management concepts related to offices, premises, and sensitive information

Institutional Safety Roles

Roles and responsibilities involved in safeguarding institutional operations

Emergency & Risk Management

Emergency response mechanisms and risk assessment practices

Government Protocols

Government protocol guidelines and handling of VIP movements

To Conclude: 

NABARD Grade A exam requires a clear understanding of its syllabus and exam pattern to prepare effectively. With focused preparation, a well-planned strategy, and consistent effort, applicants can significantly improve their chance of success.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Ques: Is there negative marking in NABARD Grade A exam?

Ans: Yes, in NABARD Grade A exam has a negative marking of 0.25 marks that means 0.25 marks will be deducted for every wrong answer in NABARD Grade A exam, 

Ques: Will the marks scored in prelims exam be counted while preparing the final merit list?

Ans: No, the Phase 1 (Prelims) exam of NABARD Grade A is only qualifying in nature. 

Ques:  What is the NABARD Grade A Exam Pattern for Phase 2 (Mains)?

Ans: Read the above mentioned article in detail to know the exam pattern for phase 2 mains.

Ques: What is the selection process for NABARD Grade A Officer Posts?

Ans: The applicants will be selected through Prelims, Mains, and Interview.

Ques: Is there any sectional timing in NABARD Grade A exam?

Ans: No, there is no sectional timing in NABARD Grade A Exam Pattern. The total duration of Phase 1 is 120 minutes and Phase 2 is 210 minutes.

Ques:  Are all subjects in NABARD Grade A Phase 1 qualifying in nature?

Ans: Yes, NABARD Grade A Phase 1 (Prelims) is qualifying in nature and used only to shortlist candidates for Phase 2.

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